I know there has been some discussion as to Habanos S.A. recent discontinuation of quite a few vitolas and even some entire lines. Mainly the smaller ring gauges are the ones being discontinued and this has been dis-hearting to me and I'm sure others as well. Besides this recent trend of going larger in ring gauges, there are a couple of other trends I would like some input on.
One, the introduction of the much-hyped maduro Cohibas. Are these a direct result of the American market or is there an increasing desire from Europe for maduros? This also has some bearing on the darker wrappers on the ELs that some call maduro. The Cohibas will be very expensive I'm sure, but I for one am anxious to try them and see if they can stand up to the domestic premiums like the Padron maduros and Anejos.
Second, as I am young and have only recently gotten into Cubans, it seems the amount of "special" humidors, regional releases, and EL are growing and becoming more popular by the year. Once again, is this the effect of the American market or was there enough foreign demand to warrant these releases? The marketing and presentation that are going into the "special" releases seems to point to trying to compete with the non-cuban cigar makers.
Basically, I am wondering if the American market is pushing Habanos into these trends? I know from reading interviews with Habanos execs. and from discussion on several boards, Habanos won't admit to this. I also know that half of Habanos S.A. was bought by Altadis of Spain several years ago (not sure how many) and Altadis has pushed these marketing decisions. Is the "ghost" American market really that important to Habanos?
Sorry for the length of this, but I'm really hoping for some good discussion and learning some more about the business side of cuban cigars. I am also especially interested in what some of the members from other countries think about these trends.
One, the introduction of the much-hyped maduro Cohibas. Are these a direct result of the American market or is there an increasing desire from Europe for maduros? This also has some bearing on the darker wrappers on the ELs that some call maduro. The Cohibas will be very expensive I'm sure, but I for one am anxious to try them and see if they can stand up to the domestic premiums like the Padron maduros and Anejos.
Second, as I am young and have only recently gotten into Cubans, it seems the amount of "special" humidors, regional releases, and EL are growing and becoming more popular by the year. Once again, is this the effect of the American market or was there enough foreign demand to warrant these releases? The marketing and presentation that are going into the "special" releases seems to point to trying to compete with the non-cuban cigar makers.
Basically, I am wondering if the American market is pushing Habanos into these trends? I know from reading interviews with Habanos execs. and from discussion on several boards, Habanos won't admit to this. I also know that half of Habanos S.A. was bought by Altadis of Spain several years ago (not sure how many) and Altadis has pushed these marketing decisions. Is the "ghost" American market really that important to Habanos?
Sorry for the length of this, but I'm really hoping for some good discussion and learning some more about the business side of cuban cigars. I am also especially interested in what some of the members from other countries think about these trends.